Collective Bargaining

Collective Bargaining

Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to being an employer that elevates and supports each employee to collectively strengthen the Polytechnic. 

RDP is committed to a collaborative and respectful relationship with our employee union/association groups and working together as partners toward common goals that include supporting our employees' needs and nurturing a positive organizational culture that promotes the success of our students, while advancing our Polytechnic mandate. 

In addition to providing information about collective bargaining processes, Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to providing updates about the status of our negotiations. When Red Deer Polytechnic enters negotiations to renew collective agreements, we strive to work together with FARDP and AUPE representatives with a focus on achieving a mutually agreeable outcome.
 

Union/Association Groups

Together, these groups represent approximately 1,000 valued RDP faculty and staff members.

Latest Bargaining Updates 

Both Collective Agreements expired June 30, 2024. Red Deer Polytechnic is currently engaged in the collective bargaining process with AUPE and the Faculty Association of Red Deer Polytechnic (FARDP).   

  • AUPE Bargaining Update l December 19, 2024

    • Red Deer Polytechnic met on December 18 and 19 with AUPE Local 071 Chapter 014 to resume bargaining. Conversations focused on Article 17: Classification and Determination. The parties agreed to meet again on January 21 for a working session to review the master classification list and the re-classification process. 
    • Further bargaining dates are planned for late January, February and April and the committee looks forward to making progress on negotiations in the new year. 

  • FARDP Bargaining Update | December 9, 2024

    • The negotiating teams met for a couple of hours on Monday, December 9 and engaged in exploratory discussions on the meaning and intent of the proposals from both sides. No specific proposals were agreed to or withdrawn. The next bargaining date is in January.    

  • FARDP Bargaining Update | December 5, 2024

    • RDP and FARDP met on December 2, 2024, and exchanged opening proposals and have agreed to meet next on December 9, 2024, and a series of dates in January 2025.  As part of a commitment to transparency in bargaining, the parties have agreed to make the initial proposals available to the RDP employee community for review. Employees can access the proposals on RDP Connect (RDP logins are required).

  • AUPE Bargaining Update l October 23, 2024

    • The Polytechnic and AUPE met on October 22 and 23, 2024 to continue negotiations. Parties exchanged proposals on non-monetary items such as personnel files, discipline, hours of work as well as discussed, the current letters of understanding and telecommuting.
    • The conversations were productive, and the committee looks forward to meeting with AUPE in late December where they expect to discuss articles related to the classification process.

  • AUPE Bargaining Update l September 20, 2024

    • Red Deer Polytechnic and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Local 071 Chapter 014 met on September 19 and 20 to resume collective bargaining. The focus for this round was on non-monetary language proposals. The Polytechnic is cautiously optimistic about the progress made thus far and looks forward to meeting with the AUPE Bargaining Committee on October 22 and 23, where we anticipate beginning negotiations of monetary proposals. 
    • Future bargaining dates are set for both December and January.

  • AUPE Bargaining Update l July 30, 2024

    • The RDP Bargaining Team met with the AUPE Bargaining Team on July 30 and 31 to discuss bargaining protocols and exchange proposals to renew the Collective Agreement that expired on June 30 of this year.   

    • The parties then adjourned and agreed to meet again to continue the process on September 19 and 20.  

  • FARDP Bargaining Update l July 30, 2024

    • Bargaining will begin November 5, 2024. RDP and FARDP will continue informal discussions on workload in September. 
       

Collective Bargaining Process

 The collective bargaining process for Red Deer polytechnic typically follows these steps: 

  1. Notice to bargain: either RDP or the union/association (representing the employees) must serve a notice to commence bargaining within a specific timeframe according to the Alberta labour Relations Code.  
  2. Preparation for bargaining: both parties prepare for negotiations by reviewing the existing agreement, identifying key issues, and setting objectives for the new agreement.
  3. Negotiation: formal negotiations begin with both parties meeting to discuss proposals and counterproposals. This process involves multiple bargaining sessions where each side presents its positions and negotiates terms on wages, benefits, working conditions, and other employment matters.
  4. Ratification: once a tentative agreement is reached, it must be ratified by both parties. For the union/association, this involves a vote by its membership. For RDP, this means approval by the institution’s executive leadership team.
  5. Implementation: upon ratification, the new collective agreement is signed and implemented. Both parties are responsible for adhering to the terms of the agreement. 


Post-Secondary Collective Bargaining in Alberta

Red Deer Polytechnic, like other polytechnics, universities and colleges in Alberta, is a public sector employer. 

The labour relations and collective bargaining of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are governed through:

The Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO) is the central agency that coordinates collective bargaining with the broader public sector employers in Alberta. 

The Alberta Labour Relations Board is an independent tribunal responsible for administering the Labour Relations Code and applying the legislation governing collective bargaining. 

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